I'll be honest. I was really looking forward to a white Christmas and playing in the snow on our vacation. We passed snow on our drive up and got all excited for what we thought would be a week of playing in the wonderful white stuff. Of course, the week that we were there the temperatures were 15-20 degrees higher than we had planned for. There wasn't a speck of snow to be seen! Okay, maybe a speck, but you can't do much with that. We didn't even have to break out the coats - only heavy jackets. Of course. But...I can't complain too much since we still had an amazing time being with family!
As is typical for us, for most of the vacation we were having too much fun playing games, eating yummy treats (and some healthy food in there somewhere), playing games, laughing, watching movies/basketball/football, playing games, and laughing to take pictures. We did manage to get a few of the festivities...so here we go!
Gregg and Abigail on Christmas Day at Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma Sagers. Yes, she is in her pajamas, but we thought she was too cute in them to change her. Either that or we were just being lazy. Let's go with the first!
These three - we don't get to see too often so it's a treat to get everyone together! Michelle was able to join us for 4 days, making the family gathering almost complete. Some people think that flying home from Taiwan just for a weekend doesn't make sense...and they might just be right...but we still missed them. Thank goodness for skype!
In between all the playing, Zeb and Abby fought and fought over what is apparently the best chair at Gpa and Gma's house.
Victorious!
Enjoying the "warm" weather with some time on the tramp with Aunt Rachel and Aunt Natalie! Zeb loved to bounce Abby and she loved being bounced. Perfect combination for a fun time.
We were able to stay for my Aunt Deon's annual New Year's party - complete with tons of yummy snacks/treats and the infamous white elephant game!
There were lots of laughs this year as gift after gift was unwrapped. Great-Gpa Sagers is displaying a lovely palm tree candlestick holder.
Zeb was lucky enough to help choose whose turn it was next (Aunt Deon had given everyone a slip of paper with a winter picture on it...then had Zeb and cousin Sandra help pick out the matches). Here he is pictured opening his gift of choice...and it was a cake mix! And not just any cake mix either. It was a rainbow party mix with a fortune taped on the front. Special!
This is what Bryan could have had...if only people would just not steal! Instead of the bubbly (non-alcoholic, of course!) he went home with a tin of candy cane flavored taffy and an I Spy memory card game.
Abs just wanted a turn! Really, she was just super tired from having skipped her morning nap. But we can pretend.
Great-Gma Sagers opened the long-anticipated gift that returns every year. And you can tell by the joy on her face how happy she was to be the lucky one to open it. The figurine is typically accompanied by $5 (but the price might have to go up to keep up with inflation!).
This lovely piece, however, did not end up going home with Great-Gma. I know...you think I'm joking...who would steal it? Well, much to the chagrin of my mother, Erick did! He claims it wasn't for the cash and that he just really likes the figurine. Each to his own, I guess.
So glad we could stay for the party! It was as fun as we remembered from years past and hope to be there for another time in the future.
We left the party and started our drive home...and got home just in time to celebrate the New Year! Yep, we pulled into our garage at 11:45 pm. But, being the party-poopers that we are, we unloaded the essentials from the car (the kids and any food) and went straight to bed instead of watching any ball drop or banging any pots or partying in any fashion. Oh well. Next time we'll try to not be so boring.
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